Walking Football

Interested in playing football but can’t do the running round the park?

Then fear not as you can now participate in walking football at Galabank. Annan Athletic are now offering people the chance to participate

Whilst many of us would love to go and run out on the Galabank turf often age becomes a barrier for this but not now. Annan Athletic Football club are launching a ‘Walking Football’ programme which will be held at the ground every Wednesday starting at 13:30.

Walking football is a variant of association football that is aimed at keeping people aged over-50 involved with football if, due to a lack of mobility or for other reason, they are not able to play the traditional game with the sport being played both indoors and outdoors. Walking football was devised, during 2011, by the Chesterfield F.C. Community Trust and coverage of one of their sessions on Sky Sports News led to several other clubs taking up this version of the game.

Though based on association football, the key difference in the rules from standard football, is that if a player runs then they concede a free kick to the other side. This restriction, together with a ban on slide tackles, is aimed both at avoiding injuries and facilitating the playing of the sport by those who are physically disadvantaged. The manner in which the sport is played promotes cardiovascular fitness whilst producing the least stress on the body. It also assists participants to maintain an active lifestyle.

In walking football the game is played with or without goalkeepers and crucially, the ball must never be kicked above hip height (depending on age range, fitness or common agreement when commencing kick off). Different footballs are used in the indoor and the outdoor variations of the sport. When played indoors a size 4 futsal ball is used and a traditional size 5 football is used for the outdoor games. The size of the pitch can vary to suit different locations.